Mad FORCs Race Team

Kick Off Ride May 7th

2015-04-29T21:30:00.001-06:00

At last riding season is here! We're planning the first Mad FORCs ride for Thursday, May 7th. We'll leave from Dawley Park on Seminole Highway at 6 p.m. Join us as we ride the new Seminole trails and Quarry Ridge.

This is a casual ride for anyone interested in learning more about the club. Spread the word, dust off your mountain bike, and join us for some fun.

O Glory, Glory

2013-10-27T20:46:00.004-06:00

It's been almost a year since I last rode my mountain bike. I was pregnant and then too huge after winter to go on any rides aside from my regular commute to work. I have been on three mountain bike rides in the past month and they have been guh-lorious. There's nothing like not riding to make you really appreciate hitting the trail.

So far I've only ridden at CamRock, but they've been good rides. I love returning to a trail and discovering new changes - reroutes and flourishes. It's nice to see the comforting old bits still there too, like that one rock that I always use to ride smoothly over a log. It's great to be back on the bike and feel like I'm only as badly off as my usual spring slump!

Sure, winter's approaching quickly but fall has always been one of my favorite times to ride. Happy trails and crunchy leaves, everyone.

Back to the Bike

2013-04-21T21:46:00.002-06:00

Ah, remember those sunny, dry days of last autumn? For some of us, the end of last season was the last time our mountain bikes had any fun.

Kicking back at the LaGrange General Store after a great end-of-season ride (2012)

The bad news is that it's still soggy out. The good news is that our 2013 kickoff meeting is a little over a week away! Together let us meet and dream up an awesome season. And while we're at it, get a little social riding in.

Meeting details:

Thursday, May 2
Barriques, 961 S. Park St
Meet at 6 pm for a casual group ride
Meet at 7 pm for our official meeting

See you there!

What I did on my fall vacation

2012-10-17T20:42:00.000-06:00

This month my husband and I took a week to travel around southernish areas and do some mountain biking.

Inspired by a recent article in Dirt Rag Magazine on the trails in Brown County State Park, Indiana, we decided to head down to the southern Illinois / Indiana-ish area. Here's a quick summary of our trail adventures!

Ride 1: Kickapoo State Park, IL

I LOVE these trails. These are the trails where I first learned to mountain bike, but I love them beyond that. These are 12 miles of fun, fast, flowy, challenging, twisty, lovely woodsy fun. Ride them if you're passing through central Illinois or even if you're passing nearish. It's so worth it.

Ride 2: Brown County State Park, IN

We were enticed by 25 miles of singletrack, promised to be "not too hard, not too easy." With the exception of the quite technical Schooner Trace (double black diamond) trail, all these trails were just right! The fall colors were just beginning to turn when we were there and the views from the high points of the trail were spectacular. Our main tip: be sure to fill up on water before driving to the trailhead. The only water we found was a feebly dribbling water fountain near the closed, winterized pool! Fortunately since we were camping, we could stock up at the campground for our long ride.

Ride 3: Land Between the Lakes, TN

We drove down to the far southern tip of this skinny, water-surrounded park to stop in at the welcome station and find out more about the North-South trail. My husband wanted to ride the length of the park. When we found out that the biking portion of the trail started a full 20 miles north, we ended up riding at the Fort Henry trails instead, open temporarily to mountain bikers. These trails were described by my husband as "old school mountain bike trails." That is, designed for hikers and horses, maybe a little eroded. Despite the occasional rough section or stretches of doubletrack, this little trail system was pretty fun to ride. We settled in at the campground that night and asked if there were any tent sites left. Suffice it to say we were the only tent in our section of the campground! It made stargazing great. Two meteors! Two satellites!

Ride 4: Land Between the Lakes, KY

The next day we drove up north into the Kentucky portion of the recreation area. We got info at the welcome station in the middle of the park, then Frank started riding up the North-South trail (about 30 miles of singletrack) and I headed up to the north end of the park to do my own riding. This is after ogling bison and stopping to tour a few old family cemeteries. I rode the Canal Loop - a nice 10 mile loop - with nice water views.

Ride 5: Lake Glendale, Shawnee National Forest, IL

More "old school mountain bike trails," these got us a little lost. There's a simple lake loop, plus unknown lengths of trails looping around wildly amidst the woods and rocks. We chatted with a park caretaker who told us that most of the trails were built locally without much organization or official sanction. Luckily for us, we had GPS and basic topo maps on our phones so we were able to wander our way through a 10 mile ride down single and double track - mainly designed for horses and hikers. Poison ivy abounded, which kept me off a few of the trails. The big bonus of these trails? Surprise rock formations buried in the woods and little sections of slickrock-like trail that made me nostalgic for Arizona riding.

Ride 6: Cedar Lake, Shawnee National Forest, IL

I dragged us to Giant City State Park for a hike and a stay at the campground, then we drove to Cedar Lake for our last ride of the trip. More old school trails, these were fairly eroded and rather technical. There was a lot of poison ivy on this trail, so I pulled out arm and leg warmers to serve as a shield. The trail was rough and I was tired, so I didn't do the full trail. By turning around I avoided a copperhead (which my husband jumped with his bike, then shooed off the trail). I also avoided a nest of yellow jackets (allergic) and a 1.5 inch long European Hornet buzzing around the car.

Unfortunately, I did not avoid a spectacular end-over-end crash that left me with a purple chin, hand, shoulder, hip, and this great big bruise above my knee. It really puts those little bruises in perspective! Nothing broken or dislocated though, so I'm putting this in the WIN column :)

We were going to stop by Kickapoo again, or the trails around Peoria (to be reviewed later), or even Rock Cut, but were stopped by rain! A great vacation.

Little Night Race on the Prairie

2012-09-07T10:43:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago I did the Pitch Black Singletrack race at CamRock, part of the WEMS series. I had done the 12 hour race last year but since I've only done a few long rides this year (recovering from a running injury) I just did the 6 hour race.

The weather, at least for the six hour length, was pretty much perfect. Everyone started together at 8 pm with little light left in the sky, the temperature hovering in the low 80's. A band entertained the crowd at the bar which overhangs the start/finish. Everybody was in high spirits.

I'm always surprised at how much easier the trail looks in the dark. I have very poor depth perception, so I've found that the trail lit up by just headlights tends to flatten. Rocks, roots, and divots appear almost as 2D as a pen outline against the dirt. This can lead to bad surprises, for which I am grateful to ride a bike with front suspension. But I discovered that it can also lead to good surprises. At times I took the harder line without realizing it, and found it to be faster than my usual run. So...poor vision for the win!

I also love the prairie at night. The occasional super tall plant peeks up like a head over the densely packed vegetation and the white boneset flowers catch the moonlight and capture the eye. Riding the sweeping prairie trails opens up the sky too, so you can enjoy the stars or in the case of that weekend's race, a moon muddied orange by thin clouds.

One of my favorite things about this race is the party tent on the back edge of the loop. They always play great music and cheer wildly all night. Sometimes they don't have snacks a non-beer-drinker vegetarian might want...but I did have a guy desperately hand me a chocolate filled twinkie on my last lap. I say "desperately" because he jogged after me on the trail and handed it off like a pro support team! Now that's dedication :)

My race was molasses-slow. Pain meant that I took time in the open areas to do rolling stretches since I'm still kind of broken. But oh, it was fun!

Mad FORCs at Stump Farm

2012-07-08T15:29:00.000-06:00

Barb

Kathy

Great Riding had by all the

Mad FORCs at Stump Farm.

I rolled into Reforestation Camp, full of butterflies. I was thinking what had I gotten myself into? In years past I've raced with the Mad FORCs 12 hour women's team, and during that time, I always thought, what's the hurry for those 3 hour solo people - I've already been out riding for hours. The Stump Farm race put the hurry to the test. Shannon was looking for a training race and Stump Farm was available for both of us, so between being mom's, each with 2 kids, working full-time and having active significant others - the 30 mile event was the max miles in the min time (and the temperature was supposed to break).

Our first 3-4 miles of the 1st lap was a push to not be left in the dust, manage what was ahead and get some space. We managed to move around one lady, but then as we passed another lady (on the left), she was strong and caught us (on our right, but wait- she passed on the left?) on the up-hill. I thought it was a little strange, that she called out "on your right" and passed on the left, but it can happen. They managed to get in every hill SF had to offer, some sandy, some short, and sweet, always a great reward was the awesome flowy fast single track, puts a smile on my face. I knew Shannon would blast through the single track, but we got caught behind "on your right" and passed her again. A while later, she caught us on the double tracks and passed again "on your right, but really it was on our left" so we knew she was strong on the double, but slower in the single track and was confused about the passing. On the 2nd lap Shannon - took her and eventually on the 2nd I also took "on your right" and left some dust on her left - she was strong so I knew she would always be lurking behind me. We kept pushing - I lost Shannon during the 2nd lap. I thought wow, this lap is hard, and I realized my seat had snuck down several inches, a quick re-adjustment, I felt like I had all of a sudden gazelle legs and the third lap was a thrill to ride with my seat in the correct position.

30 plus miles went by really fast and I enjoyed the race and think it was very funny how nervous I was. Overall, Shannon & I each got in 30+ miles, and the 12 hour relay team (Kathy, Barb & Berlie) got in a combined 80+ miles, so Mad FORCs were able to cover 140+ miles. (This is not including Carol's joy ride - no telling how many miles she also added!) Great job and great fun was had by all.

WEMS Race Update: Northern Kettles

2012-05-22T06:06:00.002-06:00

Mad FORCs' Team Tortoise ruled the 100 mile women's team category at the WEMS Northern Kettles race. Here's their report:

We arrived late Friday night around 11 pm, set up camp and slept at the parking lot in the car. Woke up the next morning to NO RAIN! Yea!! It was a very nice day with a nice breeze.

Kathy went first and had a good lap. I went second & was slower than her by only a few minutes! (We took our time in between laps but seemed to have very consistent times regardless of the talking, eating, etc.) On my second lap, while pulling over for the fast guys, I saw a man in the middle of the forest picking up stuff with a poker. I thought he was picking up trash so asked what he was doing....he was picking mushrooms during the race! He was oblivious to all the racers whizzing by! (Not oblivious to me, though...I'm not fast!) We chatted for a little while, since I've never seen anyone picking mushrooms!

Kathy heard owls & cranes during her laps. I heard feisty horses neighing while I was waiting for her in the parking lot....there was a group riding horses on the other side.

Kathy did her third lap. And after resting awhile, did a 4th. We won first place! (ha! ) And won prize money!

It was a perfect day for a race!

2012 Women's Dirt Retreat

2012-05-19T07:21:00.001-06:00

From Renee:
It’s hard to believe but 2012 marks the 11^th year for the Mad FORCs organizing the Women’s Dirt Retreat. It was a treat to be able to have Alison Dunlap back to be our featured instructor and, of course, it is always great to have Madison’s own Sue Juedes out assisting. Both of them are amazing riders and genuinely fun people to be around.

In an amazing stroke of luck we also lucked out with perfect weather which has not always been the case. Anyone else remember the year with the tornado watch when lightning struck the ski jump at Blackhawk? That was a stressful day! Our featured instructor that year was Jacquie Phelan and I don’t think she’d ever been in a true Midwest style storm before.

Once again we had a great group of women participating. This year we mixed things up with one day for women newer to mountain biking and one day for those who have been riding longer. Overall I liked the new format although we decided to go with a short day on Sunday since it was Mother’s Day. Next year we plan to do a longer day on Sunday (but avoid Mother’s Day hopefully!). We also moved the event to Cam-Rock because everyone in the club is so psyched about the trails there.

It’s no secret that I have a short attention span and am always up to something new but it’s hard to give up on an event as cool as the Dirt Retreat. After many years of mountain biking it can be pretty easy to take the sport for granted. Not at the Dirt Retreat though. There’s nothing as rewarding as hearing a rider say that they successfully rode something for the first time or just hearing the excitement as people even try things they hadn’t before. That never gets old! Every year we have women who are just so new to the sport that everything is novel and exciting. I love getting that reminder about just how awesome mountain biking is. It definitely makes me want to get out and ride more. It also reminds me that I don’t have to challenge myself by taking up a new sport (can you say road biking, cyclocross, running, cross country skiing, rollerskiing, swimming, etc) but I can push myself out of my own personal comfort zone once in awhile on the mountain bike. Or I can just take some beginners out on a trail I’ve ridden a million times and see it in a whole new and exciting way. Thanks to everyone who attended for making me appreciate mountain biking for the great sport that it is. I can’t wait for 2013!

Luck was on our ride

2012-04-30T18:30:00.000-06:00

Riding this time of year can be tricky with the weather. Luckily, this spring has been really good to us, and the trails in Wisconsin have opened early. The ride was scheduled a week ago, and as it drew near, anticipation grew….watching the weather daily to see how the forecast would pan out. Ugh… 100%-90% rain, ≤40⁰F temps and trails closed, so –postponed the ride for a day. Now, what to where? More? Less? Today a little breezy so – opted for more. Sure enough after 3 miles in – time to strip down. Puddles weren’t too bad, mostly little ones here and there, just enough getting dirty. Lots of nice grip and the sandy section is always pleasant after a rain. Lots of light as the trees are not fully leafed out yet. From the pictures, we all had a little bit o’ mud on us. All the more satisfying is that we squeezed in great riding (as I write this it is raining, again) for the weekend. Why is that with the rain on either side of the ride – makes it just that much more enjoyable for a Mad FORC?

Women's Dirt Retreat

2012-04-20T20:29:00.002-06:00

The eleventh Women's Dirt Retreat sponsored by the Mad FORCs will be May 12 and 13 at Cam-Rock County Park. We're excited once again to have Alison Dunlap as our lead instructor. She will be joined by awesome local gals like Sue Juedes.

The format has changed a bit this year. On Saturday we'll be focused on our Beginner and Advanced Beginner riders with a one day clinic. Beginners and Advanced Beginners have long been the focus of the Dirt Retreat as we want to get more women out on their mountain bikes enjoying riding and feeling confident. This year on Sunday we'll have a morning clinic for our Intermediate/Advanced riders as we realized that even more experienced riders enjoyed the opportunity to work with Alison to take their riding to the next level.

Registration is available online at https://www.bikereg.com/Net/16274 and space is limited so register now.

Spring training

2012-03-26T07:33:00.000-06:00

The time has come for me to start my spring training. With my work schedule and vehicle availability, I don't always make it out to the trails during the work week. And sometimes (like today) it's just a bit too rainy for good trail conditions. At the end of last year I made a resolution to do some urban skills practice once a week to stay sharp on the bike.

I will use Brian Lopes' and Lee McCormack's book Mastering Mountain Bike Skills as my guide. The first thing on my plate is to work on my timing for going over logs and other obstacles. Right now I seem to rely more on a suspension fork and luck, which is not a good long term solution!

Previously I used this book's breakdown of techniques to work on pulling more energy out of a turn. This week I will start with the chapter on wheelies and hopping. I'll be the person on the east side hopping over parking blocks and practicing wheelies in the schoolyard!

Spring . . . or summer is here

2012-03-17T18:24:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I was super excited to think that the trails at Cam-Rock had opened for the season which has to be some sort of record. It is March, right?!?! Then in the middle of the night I woke up to hear rain and I was sad to think that their would be no mountain biking this weekend. However being a cross country skier I have become quite accustomed to the weather disappointing me. Still it is March and the transition from winter skiing to summer riding temps took about one day. It's been hard to get my mind around biking and in shorts and short sleeves no less.

Anyway, given the overnight rain I decided to get out on the road bike instead. Being ever sensible I reflected on the riding I have done so far this season. A 28 mile ride to Paoli and at least two bike path rides of 15 miles or so. Clearly it was time to step it up so I decided a ride to Belleville was in order. Never mind that the route has hills, it would be windy and it was hot which is basically all the things I don't like. Oh yeah and the ride would be 50 miles.

So how did it go? Surprisingly well actually . . . by which I mean I didn't cry, lie down in the road and refuse to continue on or call a cab. Confession time though - Dave went with me and I drafted a lot. As in I took like 3 pulls into the wind. I figured he was in better shape since he has ridden to Paoli twice already this year.

I realized on the way home that this crazy warm spring will either make it possible to get into semi-good riding shape before November or I will become totally burned out on riding by Memorial Day.

Relieved to have made it to Belleville and that we brought Clif Shots!

Stump Farm Race Report

2011-05-20T19:24:00.000-06:00

The FORCS had a great showing at the first WEMS race of the year! We had a 3 person 100 mile team (Berlie, Sabrina, and Sue) and two solo 100 mile riders (Carol and Deb). We also had a wonderful pit crew with Kathy and an intrepid bike riding turtle to cheer us forward. FORCS purple dominated the woods!

The weather was not friendly, with intermittent rain and mist and quite chilly temps. As it had been raining all week, they had to reroute a lot of the course to avoid the worst of the swamps. This left some sticky single track at times, and two massive "lakes" for us to ride through in a lower part of the course.

Despite the tough weather, this venue was terrific as usual. The race organizers did a great job, there was a warm building for needed breaks from the cold, and they offered great door prizes (including a Niner frame. One of these years I'm going to win that bad boy).

Carol and Deb both did wonderfully cranking out those solo miles, despite mechanical issues for both. Carol had some uncooperative Stans in a tire and had to backtrack some miles for a fix. When I encountered her returning to the pits for a fix she was smiling and cheerful as usual. Deb's single speed decided to drag its brakes so hard that she could barely get the bike to move in her first lap. Way to add some resistance training Deb!

The team managed to avoid any mechanicals or serious mishaps. Berlie managed to pull a beautiful track stand after getting bogged down in the middle of one of the lakes, thereby avoiding a wet slog through the muck. Wish I could have seen that. Sabrina got tough and pulled an extra last lap for the team late in the day. Thanks Sabrina - I was cheering you on while sitting in front of the warm fireplace!

The next WEMS race is in 1 1/2 weeks at Greenbush. That's another great venue. Hope we can have another big turnout. Those of you who haven't ridden much WEMS races are welcome to come too. They will have a shorter 30 mile solo option, or we can get together a second team for the day if we have enough riders.

-- Sue

Spring Winds

2010-04-05T13:47:00.003-06:00

I feel like I've had a slow start to the riding season this year. However, the unusually warm weather makes me forget that most years I don't ride that much before April. After racing cyclocross until Nov or Dec and then ski racing until March I usually find the spring to be a good time to get caught up on the rest of life.

However, what is a person to do when we have 80 degree temps in March? The only answer is to get out on the bike. Next thing you know you are trying to get back to a regular schedule of riding as you can't help but remember that the first WEMS race is just around the corner and maybe you would want to do the Cable Area Off Road Classic again this year. And even though you skied the Birkie you can't believe how slow you feel on a bike so better get riding!

That's all well and good but spring in Wisconsin means WIND. This Sunday I decided I needed to do a longer ride and headed off to Belleville. The winds were fierce - either in your face or trying to blow you over with a nasty cross wind. I don't like winds . . . they are even worse than hills by my estimation. In all of my many, many times riding to Belleville it has never taken so long and felt so painful. Getting there is supposed to be the fun part as it is super flat and usually fast. At least the wind was at my back for the hills on Fritz and Riverside or I may have never made it home. I persevered though so hopefully what didn't kill me will actually make me stronger (faster would sure be nice too!).

Unfortunately I imagine there will be many more windy rides this Spring. Hopefully we luck out for our Mad FORCs Tuesday night road rides and avoid the worst of the windy nights. Tuesday rides start this Tuesday, April 6 at 5:30pm at the east end of the Arboretum. First week is to Paoli. Tues, April 13 I'm leading the ride to Goodland Park.

Renee

2010

2010-04-01T13:35:00.002-06:00

With 70 degree days I guess the riding season is here!

The Mad FORCs Kick Off Meeting will be held this coming Monday, April 5 at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center's Youth Room at 7pm. Returning, new and prospective members are encouraged to attend.

Road and mountain bike rides are starting now. We'll go over the schedule at the meeting and I hope to get the website updated soon.

Renee

Mad FORCs host the Dirt Retreat with Alison Dunlap

2009-07-10T20:10:00.003-06:00

An excellent weekend of mountain biking was had by all who

attended the Mad FORCs Dirt Retreat June 27th & 28th in Madison. The weather cooperated beautifully for Alison Dunlap who was one of the many talented instructors teaching mountain biking skills and techniques benefiting every level of rider from beginner to elite racer. Of course this awesome event wouldn't have been possible without the help from our many sponsors, listed to the right, Alison, Instructors and Dirt Retreat attendees. THANK YOU Sponsors for keeping all of us (students, moms, professionals, teachers, doctors, musicians, scientists, engineers) riding !

CAMBA Festival of the Trails

2009-06-24T12:53:00.003-06:00

Renee C, Renee V, Pam and Carolyn all made their way "up north" to enjoy the first Festival of the Trails on the CAMBA trails. Good times were had by all . . . with food, schwag, and excellent singletrack!

Renee C. after getting drenched at the end of her ride on the Rock Lake trail. And yes it rained really hard!

Pam rocking the Hatchery Creek trails.

Carolyn enjoying some tasty food during the "Taste of the Trails" part of the weekend.

12 Hours of Northern Kettles

2009-05-27T07:38:00.002-06:00

Some pics stolen from Brittany from the 2nd WEMS race, 12 Hours of Northern Kettles. Kathy, Berlie and Barb did a 12-Hour Women's team and Amelia rocked the 3-hour solo. Nice job gals!

Kathy

Barb

Amelia

Photos of our Middle School Ride

2009-05-07T11:18:00.004-06:00

Middle School Ride

2009-05-04T12:48:00.002-06:00

Last Thursday Deb, Melissa and Renee had the opportunity to go with kids from Spring Harbor Middle School on a bike ride. Originally the plan was to go mountain biking at the Kettles but the weather did not cooperate and the trails were closed that day. However, since the kids were anxious to ride and they had brought bikes to school Jen, their teacher, came up with a new plan. In stead we all rode from their school around the Capitol City Trail loop for a total distance of 20 miles.

It was quite a site - 22 middle school kids and 5 adults - making their way through town and around the trail. For most of the kids 20 miles of riding was a huge deal and at times I think all the adults had doubts if everyone would make it. However, we successfully got all the kids around the loop and back to school at the appointed time and with the only injury being some skinned knees.

Let's hope we can get them out mountain biking in the future!

Watch Women Mnt Bike Racing!

2009-04-09T13:26:00.000-06:00

Know how you end up on websites you weren't really meaning to visit? This morning I stumbled upon female US Cup mnt bike racer Melanie McQuaid's website, racegirl.com. Her April 2nd entry has a video from the Fontana City, CA US Cup race.

The race starts on a nice downhill. Notice the stupe spectators at the bottom who almost get clipped. They would have deserved it too! About halfway through, they are coming off another downhill section and onto a road. Notice the black guardrail. I can't tell if it's solid or plastic, but that's a pretty scary "obstacle" to avoid coming off a downhill.

I think we so could ride that trail! I did notice much of the video showed hill climbing, and most of you know I am NOT a fan of the climb. But this year I hope to get over that. Funny thing is I love to climb on my road bike (got a new one-yay!), but not so much on the mnt bike. Maybe I need therapy to find out why.

Chequamegon Bound!

2009-03-26T11:19:00.004-06:00

I just looked in my checking account and saw that my check for the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival has cleared! I made it in. Now I am 4 for 4. My goal this year is to do it under 3 hours and 40 minutes. The last time I did the race I completed it in 4h 10m.

Yay!!

Barb

Welcome Unwin Chiropractic and Wellness Center

2009-03-20T14:45:00.003-06:00

The Mad FORCs are pleased to announce our latest sponsor . . . Unwin Chiropractic and Wellness Center. Now everyone can feel comfortable riding and racing as hard as they want and then making a visit for an adjustment or massage. Heck, you could even just get a nice relaxing massage instead of waiting until your muscles are a knotted mess.

Here's what Renee has to say about this new sponsor - I've made several visits this winter for post-ski race massages and I can vouch for how awesome it is to have them on board. I don't think I would have made it through my ski season without Lee's massage work . . . especially post-Birkie (and 35k of skiing with a leg cramp).

Spring is in the air!

2009-03-19T12:49:00.002-06:00

Time to get this blog "rolling" again . . . we've had some nice spring days and people are out riding now. Feel free to post stories and photos!! To that end we've got our April/May ride schedule done and our kick off meeting planned. You can check it out on the FORCs website.

The Kick Off meeting is Tues, March 31 at the Wil-Mar Center on Jenifer Street here in Madison. Meeting at 7pm with treats provided. Our rides start in April with road and Cap City trail rides on the traditional Tuesday/Thursday schedule. Mountain bike rides are tentatively planned to start in May as usually the trails are dry by then. We'll be riding at Cam-Rock more this year due to the trail expansion there offering more riding options. Should be a fun year!!

Oh yeah, and Alison Dunlap is coming back for the Women's Dirt Retreat on June 27 and 28. Maybe we'll get dryer weather this year!!

Sponsors are awesome.

2008-12-19T15:18:00.002-06:00

It's not even 2009 yet and I'm already talking about 2009 sponsors . . .

Gu has come on board for 2009. Good thing because I heard a bunch of talk at the end of season party about an assault on WEMS in 2009. Plus the FORCs love 24-9 and who doesn't need some Gu then??? I've been meaning to try their Roctane so now I will (I'll feel obligated really).

Saris Cycling Group is returning as a sponsor as well. I love having local sponsors. It's cool because you know the people behind the products. Plus now they have a disc compatible power tap so fast girls (you know, like Deb) can have fun playing in the dirt and measuring their power output and geeking out over data. Fun!

Willy Bikes . . . love them. Great local shop, great people, just all around great in my opinion. What else can I say . . . . they're so awesome and they've helped me out so many times.

Horny Toad . . . because it's nice to look good too! I've got so much Horny Toad clothing that sometimes I feel like I just stepped out of the catalog. Ironically I'm wearing a sweet HT top as I write this (in a great shade of purple, of course).

Bob's Copy . . . because who doesn't need some copies from time to time. Flyers, newsletters, posters, signs. Great people. Downtown location. Brings back memories of college and picking up my course packets.

More later . . . .

Renee